Rams select Jordan Whittington with No 213: Instant grade and analysis

The LA Rams are deep into the speed round of the 2024 NFL Draft, having just made their ninth selection of the draft with one more pick to go. The LA Rams love wide receivers in that 6-foot-1 plus height and who tip the scales at 200+ pounds, and that is exactly who the team has added with the 213th overall pick.

Whittington is a tall wide receiver who is willing to fill any role needed by the team. In that regard, he does have special teams experience both as a punt returner and as a kickoff returner. He has the ability to pile on the yardage after the catch, and he checks all of the necessary prerequites needed to get playing time by blocking well.

The Rams offense loves to get tough receivers who have soft hands, can make catches, run routes, and can put up yards after catching the football. While Jordan Whittington was by no means a high-volume producer, he did make the most of his opportunities at Texas. He ended his career with 141 catches, 1,757 yards, and five touchdowns.

There are times that the draft makes less sense about who the team did not select then who was selected. USC WR Brendan Rice did not get selected until pick 225. Clearly the Rams did not rate him as highly as so many draft scouts did. It's at these times that I have to defer the expertise to the Rams. They found a WR superstar with the 177th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

While I am not suggesting that Jordan Whittington is the next NFL star rookie receiver, I can say with confidence that he will be better than expected. This roster has room for a solid backup WR. Jordan Whittington can fill that role in 2024

Grade: B-